Donald Stensland Obituary

Some of us are gone, and we others are soon to follow, but good actions, and memories have a way of living on forever. I fondly remember Chief Stensland. Kevin M. Crowley CFD Paramedic Officer, ret. Linden, Tennessee

Head, and shoulders, above the rest. A fine example of what a man can become, and should be. He was kind to me, and I treasure his memory. Kevin Crowley

So sorry for your loss. Just found out today from a retired fireman from Chicago about Don, I grew up on Belle Plaine and knew Don, Rich, and their mom, and their dog Teddy. I have many great memories of Don and his kindness to all. I am sure that he touched many lives during his journey through life.
Vernie (Barchard) Borgersen

Don,
You gave me so many great memories in church, basketball, scouts, and life.
Thanks for all the fried egg sandwiches and playing time.

I am saddened to learn of the loss of your loved one, Donald Stensland. Long ago, I was honored to assist Chief Stensland in his CFD Labor Relations duties. He was respected by all. Toward me, he was generous and patient. My family and I owe him much; we are sorry for your loss.

Don was a great man, others spole of his mentoring of the youths, I'm adding that he was a also role model and advisor for new adult leaders coming to the pack and troop as well. He never missed the campfire at Cayuga. Thanks, Don! John Lund

One of the greatest names in the history of the Chicago Firedepartment. God bless you and your family you will be missed by all.

Uncle Don, was an amazing man. He will be missed so much. When I was a little kid he used to blow the siren on the fire car for me and the lights. I was so saddened to hear of his passing and it will never be the same. God bless him and the Stensland family. Love Rich Dettloff

Don remembered,
Quotes (just a few):
“Mare-zee-dotes and does-zee-dotes…”, “Our paddles clean and bright, flashing like silver.” “Do you have a bone in your foot?”, “Get off your Keyster.”, “Take a seat on the bench.”, “No, we’re all going to eat at Shonees Big Boy?”, “Who wants more toasteses?”, “It’s got riboflavin!”, “I wanna know who said to cut down those golden birches?”, “When Doug Beau moved, the wall moved.”, “Go jump in the lake.”, “You can’t hear because you’ve got earwax buildup.”, “Hey, Pal.”
Group activities:
Softball, basketball, camp Cyuga week II, winter camp, trip to Myrtle Beach and the slide show presentation that followed, Explorer meetings, water skiing, snowmobiling, tobogganing (@ 60 mph), the Swamp Fox, beating the blizzard of ’79 storm in the car driving back home from winter camp, Scout/Explorer initiations, parties/gatherings, Enterprise Lake, racquetball games at the firehouse, CB radio antics to and from camping trips, Scout Pancake breakfasts, IPLC worship.
Most significant moments:
Administered immediate first aid to my collapsed father who couldn’t breathe. Helped provide me with key research information on a college project that ended up making a top grade (and your insistence that I use a tape recorder for any interviewing sessions).
Thank you Don for the good times and for pointing out those different lessons in life, (many of which are not mentioned here).

Don, Rich and Mrs. Stensland were our next-door neighbors on Spaulding Ave for many years. The best neighbors in the world. Don was a great role-model for the Eagle Scouts and a very dear friend. He influenced many. Carole (Seem) Smith, Vass, NC

Don, Where do I begin... Boy Scouts, Explorers, Camp Cayuga, Basketball, Softball. The thousands of hours you spent with us. Teaching us to love and laugh. What a true leader and friend. love Karl Mikkelsen

Don you will be missed by many. It was an honor to have known you . We will never forget you in our prayers always. Rob and Judi Weel

Have great memories of our time on the Chicago Fire Dept. You will be missed

Don's compassion and dedication to everyone he encountered has stayed with me since the very first Boy Scout pancake breakfast our family went to at Irving Park Lutheran.
I am a better person for having known him. Wendy Miller Cassens (Steven's cousin)

He was a great man who did so much for so many. Thanks Don for all you did and for helping me become the man I am today

Jimmy